2016 Australian of the Year David Morrison AO with PM Malcolm Turnbull at an awards ceremSource:News Corp Australia

“She has set a benchmark for us all and the scourge of domestic violence which faces us as one of our great social issues won’t be solved in a year, maybe in 50 or 100 years but it is up to us in our lifetimes to do something about it and I look forward to contributing to her great work,” he said.

He also pledged to help close the gender pay gap.

“I can’t explain why there is a gender pay gap,” he said.

“In this country between men and women across all professions of 17.8 per cent and worse in many of the professions that we are all proud to be part of.

“That needs to end.”

Mr Morrison also said he would lend his voice to the republican movement.

“It is time, I think, to at least revisit the question so that we can stand both free and fully independent amongst the community of nations,” he said.

Chief of Army message regarding unacceptable behaviour 3:06

A message from the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, following the announcement of investigations into allegations of unacceptable behaviour by Army members. Courtesy: AustralianArmyHQ

August 22nd 2014

2 years ago

/video/video.news.com.au/News/

The Australian of the Year title will give Gen Morrison the platform to try to change the rules, with the former Army chief hoping to use his year to promote workplace diversity and equality. “The rules that we live by have largely been written by white Anglo-Saxon men,” Gen Morrison told AAP.

“And the beneficiaries are, surprise surprise, white Anglo-Saxon men.” Gen Morrison, the ACT’s finalist, retired as chief of army in May last year and took up his role as chair of the Diversity Council Australia, which advises business on diversity in the workplace.

“We need to be careful about the stories that we tell ourselves about ourselves because that largely defines our culture,” he said. “If those stories are exclusive rather than inclusive, if they deny people opportunity on the basis of gender or the colour of their skin, then we as a society can’t reach our potential.” Gen Morrison is also the former boss of a fellow finalist Catherine McGregor and refused to accept her resignation when she went public with her transformation from male to female.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Australia’s longest serving hospital emergency department boss was named Senior Australian of the Year.

Professor Gordian Fulde, 67, has been the director of emergency at St Vincent Hospital and Sydney Hospital for more than three decades.

He regularly speaks out about the dangers of alcohol-fuel violence and methamphetamines.

Accepting the award Prof Fulde said he was “blown away”.

“As the young would say, ‘OMG’,” he said.

He said he wanted all Australians to know actions had consequences.

“We do not want excess alcohol or drugs causing so much damage and devastation,” he said.

“We really do not need to be drunk and ugly or out of it to enjoy this fantastic country Australia.

“In Australia, we really do look after our mates and each other.”

Senior Australian of the Year Professor Gordian Fulde with PM Malcolm Turnbull at an awarSource:News Corp Australia

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Two people were named as the Young Australian of the Year for the first time in the history of the awards.

Best mates Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, of Brisbane, were jointly awarded the honour at a ceremony in Canberra.

The 21-year-olds have been helping the homeless since 2014 with their Orange Sky Laundry — an old van they fitted out as a free mobile laundry.

The world-first idea has since grown to five vans in five Australian cities, run by more than 270 volunteers.

Battling heavy rain which descended on the nation’s capital just as the event was started, Mr Patchett said every night 105,000 Australians were homeless.

“They do not have a safe, quiet and particularly tonight, a dry place to sleep,” he said.

“They do not have a basic human right. Clean clothes and conversation.

“Orange Sky Laundry started as a simple idea from us two regular blokes from Brisbane.

“We wanted to wash and dry clothes for free. But after 70,000 kilos of washing, over 15,000 volunteering hours across six services in Australia, we realised it is so much more.”

Former journalist Catherine Keenan was named Australia’s Local Hero at the Australian of the Year awards.

Dr Keenan was recognised for her work with marginalised Australians as the co-founder of the Sydney Story Factory.

Since 2012 she had helped thousands of schoolchildren express themselves through writing and storytelling.

The winners and finalists of this year’s Australian of the Year awards are being honoured at a ceremony outside Parliament House in Canberra.

Check back here to find out the names of the Australian of the Year when they are announced.

Australia’s Local Hero Dr Catherine Keenan, Chairman of the National Australia Day CounciSource:News Corp Australia

In a tearful acceptance speech Dr Keenan said storytelling helped children understand the world around them.

“Telling stories is the way we take the complicated emotions and weird spiralings of imagination inside us and give them shape and form,” she said.

“It is how we show who we are to the world. We know the huge benefits of helping young people tell their stories.

“We know it because a growing body of research demonstrates the many and varied benefits that accrue for young people.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said this year’s finalists came from all walks of life.

“We rejoice that they, too, are shining examples of our best selves,” he said.

“And tonight on the eve of Australia Day, we rejoice in being citizens of a nation whose identity is not defined by religion or race, but rather, by shared political values.

“Open to all. Democracy. The rule of law. Mutual respect.

“And our deep instinct in our Australian DNA that everyone is entitled to a fair go.”

Chairman of the National Australia Day Council Ben Roberts-Smith. Picture Gary RamageSource:News Corp Australia

National Australia Day Council chairman and VC medallist Ben Roberts-Smith congratulated the award recipients.

“It’s not an easy decision that I and the Board of the National Australia Day Council have to make about who stands here as the 2016 Australians of the Year, as the national finalists are all worthy recipients,” he said.

Outgoing Australian of the Year Rosie Batty said the job had helped her deal with the death of her son Luke.

She said she was proud Australia was making progress to reduce domestic violence victim blaming.

2015 Australian of the Year Rosie Batty. Picture Gary RamageSource:News Corp Australia

“While family violence is still happening behind closed doors, the conversations aren’t,” she said.

“We have a long journey ahead but the exciting thing is we have started and Luke has not died in vain.”

She advised Mr Morrison to be “bold, brave and go hard”.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten released a statement congratulating the winners.

He said Mr Morrison had lived a life of “service before self”.

“Long after his bravery, judgment and leadership earned him the deep respect of his comrades-in-arms, Lieutenant General Morrison won a new legion of admirers for his powerful public condemnation of sexism in the Australian military,” Mr Shorten said.

“Importantly, he backed those words with deeds, as a champion of cultural change and diversity.”

Jimmy Barnes performing at the 2016 Australian of the Year awards ceremony at ParliamentSource:News Corp Australia

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